The Super Eagles take on Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in their first two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers this month, followed by an international friendly against Russia.

​Recall that Soccernet.ng had previously confirmed that Nigeria would name two separate squads — one for the competitive qualifiers and another for the Russia friendly. Over the past few days, several names had already leaked as having made the cut.

​Now, the official squad list has rolled out, and it features most of the regular starters.

Super Eagles Squad List

Head coach Eric Chelle has named two 24-man squads for the upcoming fixtures.

​The AFCON qualifying roster, however, remains the main attraction — with Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen emerging as the headline inclusion.

​The 27-year-old forward had been ruled out of action for three weeks by his club and was not expected to receive a call-up. His presence on the roster comes as a welcome surprise.

​His availability delivers a massive boost to Nigeria’s attack, given his reputation as one of the national team's most clinical and reliable performers.

​In goal, Stanley Nwabali returns to the fold. The race for the Super Eagles’ number-one jersey has heated up, with Nwabali set to compete directly against Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo for the starting spot.

​The roster also introduces fresh faces to the senior setup, with Isaac James, George Ilenikhena, and Moses Usor all earning their spots.

Full List For AFCON Qualifiers

Goalkeepers

• Arthur Okonkwo
• Maduka Okoye
• Stanley Nwabali

Defenders

• Bruno Onyemaechi
• Isaac James
• Benjamin Fredricks
• Emmanuel Fernandez
• Oluwasemilogo Ajayi
• Calvin Bassey
• Chibuike Nwaiwu
• Bright Osayi-Samuel
• Olaoluwa Aina

Midfielders

• Alexander Iwobi
• Frank Onyeka
• Wilfred Ndidi
• Rapheal Onyeka

Forwards

• Ademola Lookman
• Samuel Chukwueze
• Moses Simon
• Akor Adams
• Victor Osimhen
• Tolu Arokodare
• George Ilhenikina
• Moses Usor

There are many new names in the second squad to face Russia. Interestingly, Kelechi Iheanacho, who has been on a goalscoring spree in the second tier of Turkish footall, was named only in the friendly game roster.

Coach Chelle will be hoping that the main squad performs well and claims the maximum six points from the two games against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. The players who have been named in the squad for the Russia friendly will also be hoping to impress.

​Nigeria are in Group L of the qualifying series, and it is crucial that they start on a strong note, especially since only one team will qualify due to the presence of co-hosts Tanzania.

​The three-time African champions will lock horns with the Barea of Madagascar in their opening fixture on September 25. While coach Eric Chelle's full squad list for the September qualifiers has not been confirmed, Madagascar, currently coached by Corentin Martins, have already announced theirs.

​The Most Interesting Thing About Madagascar's AFCON Qualifiers Squad

​The most intriguing aspect of Madagascar's squad for this round of qualifiers is the inclusion of Zacharie Boucher, who currently plies his trade in Ligue 1 with Troyes.

​At 34 years old, this marks only the second time Boucher has been invited to the Madagascar national team. The first time he received a call-up from the Barea was in 2018, but he turned it down, insisting he was French rather than Malagasy.

​“I am French, I have never been Malagasy,” Boucher said at the time.

​”I don't know why everything came out like that. On my end, there's nothing. Just look at my passport. It says ‘French' on it. If the coach of Madagascar calls me, it's a no.

​”Besides, administratively, I can't even do it. I am not Malagasy. The France national team jersey is important to me. I will not wear any jersey other than that one. I am French, proud to be, and I have no intention of playing the AFCON with anyone.”

​Indeed, across multiple platforms, Boucher is registered as French and even represented France at youth level. However, having failed to break into the senior French setup, his Malagasy heritage through his father has paved the way for his international career.

​Clearly, his acceptance of this latest call-up shows he has eaten humble pie and is now ready to represent his fatherland.

​Other Notable Players in Madagascar's Squad

​Coach Corentin Martins has named a 25-man squad for the upcoming international window. Aside from Boucher, Nigerian striker Gift Orban could cross paths with his club teammate, Rayan Raveloson.

Goalkeepers

• Zacharie Boucher (ESTAC)
• Geordan Dupire (FC Atert Bissen)
• Nina Rakotoasimbola (La Tamponnaise)

Defenders

• Rado Rabemanantsoa (Disciples FC)
• Mathieu Acapandié (Hajduk Split)
• Ehsan Kari (Excelsior Virton)
• Andy Pelmard (Clermont Foot)
• Sandro Tremoulet (Karlsruhe SC)
• Thomas Fontaine (Goal FC)
• Ryan Ponti (Rodez Aveyron Football)
• Morgan Jean Pierre (FC Fleury 91)
• Bono Rabearivelo (Disciples FC)
• Tony Randriamanampisoa (Elgeco Plus)

Midfielders

• Marco Ilaimaharitra (Standard RSCL)
• Rayan Raveloson (Amed SK)
• Behaja Randriamalala (US Monastir)
• Andy Rakotondrajoa (Disciples FC)
• Loic Lapoussin (GX Hengchen)
• Nicolas Randriamanampisoa (Al Merrikh SC)

Forwards

• El Hadary Raheriniaina (AS Nancy)
• Hakim Abdallah (UTA Arad)
• Arnaud Randrianantenaina (Gloria Bistrita)
• Roman Ferber (Atert Bissen)
• Warren Caddy (Randers FC)
• Nicolas Fontaine (FC Septemvri)

The Nigerian forward, who currently plays for Hungarian giants Ferencváros, was born and raised in Jos, Plateau State, where his parents and two younger sisters still live.

Yusuf's journey to professional football began against the backdrop of a difficult childhood, with his family often struggling to make ends meet.

He revealed that his parents worked tirelessly to provide for their five children, but sometimes there wasn't enough food for everyone.

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Bamidele Yusuf left home at 12

For the 25-year-old, the decision to pursue football meant leaving the comfort of his family home in Jos at an unusually young age.

At just 12, he moved alone to Lagos, several hours from his family, to find an opportunity to develop his football career.

The distance and separation meant he could only see his family once or twice a year, but Yusuf believed the sacrifice was necessary if he was going to achieve his dream. His determination was also shaped by the sacrifices he had witnessed from his parents while growing up.

“Unfortunately, we had difficult days, often struggling just to survive,” Yusuf explained in an interview with Nemzetisport.

“My parents worked incredibly hard and did everything they could to ensure that none of their five children went without, but the table was not always full of food.

“If necessary, they would rather go hungry so that we could eat. I will never forget how much they sacrificed for us.”

The experience, however, did not leave the versatile attacker feeling sorry for himself.

“I saw how hard my parents worked and how they sometimes took food from their own mouths so that we could have enough,” he continued.

“But I never envied those who had more. I did not feel sorry for myself; instead, I learned to fight, and I still do that today.

“The difficult childhood did not break me. It made me stronger.”

Why Yusuf wanted to reach Europe

The decision to leave home was ultimately connected to something bigger than football for Yusuf. He wanted to become a professional footballer not only because of his personal ambitions but also because success would allow him to improve the lives of his family.

Yusuf eventually made his way to Europe after coming through Obazz FC's academy, joining Slovakian club Spartak Trnava in 2019.

His career later took him to Portugal and Serbia before Ferencváros signed him in 2025.

At Vojvodina, the Nigerian enjoyed a productive spell, scoring 21 goals in 46 competitive appearances before earning his move to Hungary, but behind the progress was always the same motivation: a man who wanted better for his family.

“I am proud that I can send money home,” the ex-Estoril striker said.

“That is also why I wanted to become a professional footballer and get to Europe, so that I could help my family.

“I cannot completely repay all the sacrifices my parents made for us, but I want to make their lives easier.

“When I think about that, I know why I have to keep going even on difficult days.”

From Jos to Europe and a Super Eagles dream

Yusuf's journey has since taken him from playing football on the streets of Jos to competing in the UEFA Europa League with Ferencváros.

The 25-year-old can operate on the wing or through the middle and also retains ambitions of playing in England one day, having grown up watching the Premier League and admiring former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

“I loved Emmanuel Adebayor,” Yusuf said. “He was tall, strong and fast, scored goals, and as an attacker there was so much to learn from him.”

While an England move remains a dream, Yusuf's current focus is on continuing to improve, score more goals and win trophies with Ferencváros, and whatever heights his career reaches, the goal is always going to be to fight and never forget where he came from.

Rafiu, Janet Akekoromowei and Mercy Mamudu all found the net as Moses Aduku's side comfortably progressed to the tournament quarter-finals, where they will meet either Poland or Colombia in Lodz on Sunday.

The victory is one of Nigeria's most impressive round-of-16 performances at a FIFA women's youth tournament in recent years, and the post-match verdicts from both dressing rooms have identified two specific factors behind the scoreline.

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Falconets coach Aduku: ‘They underrated us'

Falconets head coach Moses Aduku, speaking to FIFA.com after the match, explained England's tactical mistake.

“The English team is a very good side and I think they underrated us, they never believed that we could play up to this level,” Aduku said.

“But I said after the group stage that the World Cup is just starting.

“[After the game] I told the players, this game is gone, let's have a short celebration because we have the next game to play so let's focus on the next [one].”

Aduku's underestimation verdict captures the trap the Young Lionesses fell into. England went into the round-of-16 fixture as the higher-ranked European side and adjusted their approach accordingly, only to be overwhelmed by a Falconets team who arrived in Poland with a point to prove.

Bedford admits England ‘struggled to compete'

England head coach Lydia Bedford's post-match assessment confirmed Aduku's underestimation claim through the specific tactical detail she identified.

“I think it's been a fantastic tournament, we've enjoyed being part of it but disappointed to be going home at this stage,” Bedford said.

“Nigeria's forwards were very effective in being direct and physical and I think that was something that perhaps we struggled to compete with at times.

“I think this experience will be extremely important to them as they move into their senior careers and hopefully push towards either [Sarina Wiegman's] squad in Brazil next year or work with me in the U-23s going forward.”

Bedford's specific reference to Nigeria's directness and physicality captures the tactical dimension England had not sufficiently prepared for.

The Falconets' front line combined pace with one-on-one duel strength, features that the Young Lionesses lacked the tools to handle.

What next for the Falconets?

The Falconets now face either Poland or Colombia in the quarter-finals at the Ergo Arena Stadium in Lodz on Sunday, with a semi-final berth at stake.

Aduku's post-match instruction to his squad to “have a short celebration” and immediately focus on the next fixture captures the settled tournament management style that has powered Nigeria through Group F and into the last eight.

Poland enter the round-of-16 as the tournament hosts and have carried significant home advantage across their opening three group stage fixtures, while Colombia saw off North Korea 3-0 in their final group game.

Either opponent will be a considerable step up from England in terms of tactical familiarity with the Falconets, meaning the underestimation factor Aduku identified may not be available for Nigeria to exploit on Sunday.

Galatasaray, Nigeria sweat over Osimhen injury

Osimhen's latest setback dates back to September 4, when Galatasaray beat Istanbul Başakşehir 3-2 at the Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring in the 16th minute, but he felt pain in his right groin after a sprint and was substituted in the 33rd minute. Galatasaray's medical team later confirmed a strain and pain in the right adductor muscle group.

The injury immediately ruled him out of Galatasaray's Champions League opener against Sporting CP in Lisbon on September 9. He was not included in the travelling squad as Galatasaray lost 3-1 at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The Super Eagles forward then missed Sunday's 1-0 league victory over Kocaelispor. Okan Buruk later said Galatasaray missed the Nigerian's presence and finishing in attack.

The Trabzonspor match had been viewed as a possible return point, but Osimhen has now spent another session working separately from his teammates.

Galatasaray will have one more training session on Friday before travelling for Saturday's match. Turkish reports say a final decision on Osimhen and Lemina will come after that work.

The latest development also creates a fresh concern for Nigeria. The Super Eagles are preparing for their September 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, making Osimhen's fitness an important issue ahead of the international window.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle still has hopes of having Osimhen available for the crucial qualifiers.

Tosin Rafiu opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei doubled Nigeria's lead two minutes after the restart. Mary Mamadu added a third in the 73rd minute as Moses Aduku's team booked their place in the quarter-finals.

The result also inspired Nigeria into the record books against England. The 3-0 scoreline is the largest winning margin recorded in a World Cup meeting between the two countries across the senior men's, senior women's and U20 women's teams. England and Nigeria had previously met three times at the U20 Women's World Cup, with Nigeria winning 2-1 in 2014 and the other two matches ending 1-1 in 2008 and 2010.

The Falconets arrived at the knockout stage after finishing second in Group F with four points. They lost 2-0 to Spain, drew 0-0 with China and then exploded into life with a 10-1 win over New Caledonia.

England also finished second in their group. The Young Lionesses drew 1-1 with Canada, defeated Tanzania 5-1 and lost 2-1 to Brazil.

Nigeria: Rafiu strikes, Uzoma stands tall

Nigeria needed only seven minutes to take control. Rafiu found the breakthrough early, giving England goalkeeper Katie Cox little time to settle into the match.

England tried to respond and were handed a major chance to level the match when Rachel Maltby stepped up from the penalty spot.

Christiana Uzoma had other ideas. The Falconets captain produced a crucial save to deny Maltby and protect Nigeria's narrow advantage. Her intervention gave Nigeria a huge lift and kept England from taking momentum into the break.

Nigeria therefore went into half-time 1-0 ahead, with Uzoma's penalty save proving just as important as Rafiu's early finish.

The goalkeeper had already been a key part of the Falconets' defence that conceded only three goals in the group stage. Her performance against England gave the African giants the platform they needed to attack the second half with confidence.

Nigeria's defensive work had been an area coach Moses Aduku wanted to improve after the 10-1 win over New Caledonia. Aduku had admitted that his team had conceded too many goals earlier in the tournament and wanted a stronger showing at the back. Against England, the response was clear.

Akekoromowei and Mamadu finish the job

The Aduku-tutored girls doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half. Akekoromowei struck in the 47th minute to make it 2-0 and put England under serious pressure.

The Benfica forward had already scored against New Caledonia in Nigeria's 10-1 group-stage win, when she headed in the third goal of the match.

Her second goal of the tournament against England was even more important. England now needed three goals to stay alive, but Nigeria refused to give the Young Lionesses a route back into the contest.

Mamadu completed the scoring in the 73rd minute, sending the Falconets three goals clear. That goal ended England's hopes and turned Nigeria's quarter-final place into a formality in the closing stages.

The final whistle confirmed a 3-0 victory and another major step in Nigeria's long history at the U20 Women's World Cup.

The Falconets had entered the tournament as two-time runners-up and survived a difficult start in Poland, after taking only one point from their first two matches.

In the quarter finals, scheduled for Saturday, the Falconets will face either hosts Poland or high-flying Colombia.

Durosinmi has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2026-27 season with Belgian side Genk, scoring five goals in six Belgian Jupiler Pro League appearances.

The 23-year-old joined Genk during the summer transfer window from Italian side Pisa after an underwhelming spell with the club.

Durosinmi had only joined Pisa in January but left after struggling to make a major impact, with the club eventually suffering relegation from Serie A.

His impressive run of form at Genk included a four-game scoring streak at the beginning of the season. He is currently joint-top of the Belgian league’s Golden Boot standings alongside RAAL La Louviere striker Mustapha Ubandoma after six games.

Super Eagles: How Durosinmi is similar to Osimhen

Durosinmi made his Super Eagles debut in May 2026 during the Unity Cup tournament, with head coach Eric Chelle using the competition to experiment with different options in the absence of several regular stars, including Osimhen.

His agent and former Super Eagles forward Tosin Dosunmu has now revealed similarities between Durosinmi and the striker he hopes to eventually challenge for the Super Eagles’ first-choice striking role — Victor Osimhen.

Dosunmu explained that the two forwards share several similarities in their style of play, especially their aerial ability, although he believes Durosinmi is stronger in the air.

“On matchday one, he already surprised me with what he showed after barely ten days of training”, Dosunmu told Het Nieuwsblad, via Tribal Football.

“Rafiu sometimes reminds me a bit of Victor Osimhen, with the difference that he is really very strong in the air.”

What Durosinmi must improve at Genk

Dosunmu also explained that Durosinmi still has areas of his game to improve as he continues to settle into life at Genk.

The former Westerlo forward noted that the Nigerian striker is still adapting to his new surroundings and developing his understanding with his teammates.

“Condition-wise, he is not yet top-notch, and the understanding with his teammates still needs to develop a bit”, he concluded.

Both Durosinmi and Osimhen are expected to be part of Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this month, with Chelle set to release his squad list soon.

Before then, Durosinmi will be in action for Genk against Belgian champions Club Brugge as he looks to continue his recent goalscoring form and maintain his impressive start to the season.

​Concerns arose over Onyeka after he walked off injured during the second half of Coventry City's 5-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. The 28-year-old midfielder appeared to have sustained a hand injury after colliding with a Brighton player.

​With AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau scheduled for later this month, the setback raised serious questions about his availability for Nigeria.

​However, those fears have now been put to rest, as the former FC Midtjylland star has returned to full fitness. Onyeka featured for the Sky Blues in their 3-1 loss to Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

​Although he did not start, he came off the bench in the second half to play the final 17 minutes. While he could not alter the outcome of the match—picking up a yellow card in the process—his return to the pitch confirms he is healthy and ready for Super Eagles duty.

​When Will Chelle Announce His Super Eagles Squad?

​Nigeria will face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in their opening two fixtures of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles host Madagascar's Barea on September 25 before traveling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. With the national team camp set to open next week, Chelle is expected to announce his final roster in the coming days.

​Super Eagles squad lists are typically released on Fridays, making an announcement likely before the weekend. Barring any late surprises, the fit-again Onyeka should comfortably secure his regular spot in midfield.

​Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is also tipped to return to the squad, though it remains to be seen whether Chelle will hand him the starting gloves over Maduka Okoye.

​On the attacking front, Nigeria will have to cope without key strikers Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu, who are both sidelined through injury.

​With only one team guaranteed qualification from Group L, Chelle will be determined to kick off the qualifying series with maximum points.

​The Nigerian forward won the Süper Lig Golden Boot last season after netting 22 goals in 30 appearances, but he has endured a slow start to the current campaign. His first goals of the season arrived on matchday four, when Trabzonspor thrashed Gençlerbirliği 5–0.

​Although Onuachu scored a brace in that encounter, it came at the cost of an injury that forced him off after just 44 minutes. The issue was initially downplayed, and he returned to play the full 90 minutes against Konyaspor the following week.

​However, eyebrows were raised again this week when the 32-year-old was absent from training. While club photos shared across social media featured teammates like Mohamed Salah, Djú Franculino, and fellow Nigerian Chibuike Nwaiwu, Onuachu was nowhere to be seen.

​Reports confirmed this afternoon that the striker has suffered an injury setback and faces a spell on the sidelines.

As a result, he is reportedly ruled out of Trabzonspor’s marquee clash against Galatasaray this weekend — a major blow for the club, as Onuachu is their focal point in attack and familiar with the intensity of facing Galatasaray, unlike new arrival Franculino, who is still adapting to Turkish football.

​Will Paul Onuachu Miss the International Break?

​Following this setback, Onuachu is also unlikely to feature for Nigeria during the upcoming international window.

​He typically serves as the primary alternative whenever Victor Osimhen is unavailable. With the Galatasaray star also sidelined, Onuachu would have been manager Éric Chelle’s most probable replacement to lead the line.

​Chelle may now have to adapt his plans, though alternatives such as Rafiu Durosinmi, Gift Orban, and Kelechi Iheanacho remain at his disposal.

​While the exact nature of Onuachu’s injury remains unconfirmed, it is suspected to be muscular. Depending on the severity, he could return to action following the international break.

The Lagos State-owned facility has undergone significant rehabilitation ahead of the inaugural National Intermediate Sports Festival, EKO 2026, with the work giving the stadium a noticeably different appearance.

The development has renewed interest in whether the iconic venue could once again welcome Nigeria’s senior men’s national team.

Teslim Balogun Stadium gets major facelift

The football pitch has been replaced with a natural-grass surface, while the spectator stands have been fitted with new plastic seats.

The stadium has also undergone extensive painting, while work continues on the tartan athletics track and other sections of the facility.

The rehabilitation is part of Lagos State’s preparations to host EKO 2026 from October 1 to 15, with Teslim Balogun Stadium set to host the opening and closing ceremonies.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently inspected the ongoing work and confirmed that several aspects of the rehabilitation had been completed.

The wider renovation also includes improvements to the indoor sports hall, swimming pool, floodlights, electronic scoreboard and VIP and VVIP areas.

Could Super Eagles return to Lagos?

The Super Eagles last played at Teslim Balogun Stadium in March 2021, when they defeated Lesotho 3-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Nigeria have since played their home fixtures at different venues across the country, with the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo becoming one of the team's regular homes.

However, the transformation of Teslim Balogun Stadium could give Lagos another opportunity to host the Super Eagles.

There is currently no official confirmation that Nigeria's next fixtures will be moved to the Surulere venue, but the improved facilities could strengthen Lagos’ case to stage future international matches.

For Lagos football fans, a Super Eagles return to Teslim Balogun Stadium would represent a significant moment for a venue with a long history of hosting Nigeria’s national team.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation has yet to confirm an exact date for the squad announcement as preparations intensify for the Super Eagles’ opening qualifier against Madagascar.

Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to tackle Guinea-Bissau four days later.

When will Eric Chelle announce Super Eagles squad?

Reports indicate that Chelle is expected to unveil his AFCON qualifying squad during the current week, with the Super Eagles’ camp scheduled to open ahead of the September fixtures.

Reports circulating in the Nigerian football community suggest that Chelle is set to name two separate squads this week. One will be for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, while the other will be used for Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia in October.

Soccernet.ng had also reported that Chelle was expected to announce two squads this week, with the regular Super Eagles players set to handle the competitive qualifiers before a largely younger group is considered for the Russia friendly.

The exact date for the first announcement, however, remains unclear.

What to expect from the Super Eagles squad

Chelle is expected to retain the core of the Super Eagles squad for the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau fixtures, although several injury concerns could influence his final selection.

Victor Osimhen's injury concern has raised concerns about his availability, while Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi is also expected to be unavailable.

There are also fitness concerns surrounding Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Tochukwu Nnadi, Ryan Alebiosu and Femi Azeez ahead of the international window.

One of the interesting developments could be the inclusion of new faces. George Ilenikhena has been tipped for a potential call-up, while goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo's return to the national team setup has already been confirmed by Charlton Athletic.

Chelle will therefore have to balance experience with the need to find solutions for the players unavailable for Nigeria's opening AFCON qualifiers.

The Super Eagles will be expected to start the campaign strongly against Madagascar before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament's co-hosts, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau face a particularly important battle for the remaining qualification spot in Group L.

The Nigeria international has seen his brilliance reflected in numbers as he features among the Championship's leading players in four statistical categories.

The 25-year-old ranks fourth for fewest goals conceded, joint-third for clean-sheet percentage, third for save percentage and fourth for long balls per 90 minutes.

The rankings, published by Fussball Europa and updated after each matchday, cover 25 goalkeepers with enough playing time.

Okonkwo's numbers stand out

Okonkwo has played all six of Charlton's Championship matches since joining the club on loan from Wrexham. He has completed 540 minutes, conceded six goals and made 20 saves from 26 shots on target, giving him a 76.9% save rate.

His latest performances came in back-to-back goalless draws against Queens Park Rangers on September 9 and Portsmouth on September 12. He made two saves against QPR before producing three saves against Portsmouth.

Those results have given him three clean sheets in six league appearances. His 50% clean-sheet rate puts him third in the Championship ranking, behind Lincoln City's George Wickens and Swansea City's Lawrence Vigouroux, who are both on 57%.

Okonkwo, who has been named in Nigeria's squad for this month's AFCON qualifiers, is also third in the save-percentage list at 77%. Wickens leads that table at 81%, while Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Pierce Joseph Charles is second at 77%.

The goals-conceded ranking tells another part of the story. Aynsley Pears of Blackburn Rovers U23 leads with four goals conceded in 270 minutes, followed by Vigouroux and Charles with five each. Okonkwo is joint-fourth with six goals conceded, at one goal per 90 minutes.

His distribution has also put him near the top of the Championship. Charles leads the long-ball ranking with 46.81 per 90 minutes, followed by Anthony Patterson on 43.97 and José Sá on 41.67. Okonkwo sits fourth at 41.67 in the detailed ranking.

The numbers fit Charlton's recent defensive run. After conceding four goals in a 4-0 defeat at Stoke City on September 5, Okonkwo responded with clean sheets against QPR and Portsmouth.

Charlton's next Championship fixture is away to Cardiff City on September 19, giving Okonkwo another chance to build on a strong opening spell in south London.

Captain Harmony Chidi put Nigeria ahead in the 16th minute before Awawu Bashiru doubled the lead 19 minutes later.

The Flamingos thought they had added a third before the break, but the goal was ruled out for offside in the 42nd minute.

Nigeria therefore went into half-time 2-0 ahead after controlling much of the opening 45 minutes.

The result continued the attacking form the Flamingos had carried into the tournament. They had scored 14 goals in two recent preparation games, beating RoyalToms Queens 11-0 and Generation Next Queens 3-0 before travelling to Côte d’Ivoire.

Flamingos finish the job after the break

Nigeria kept pushing after the restart and eventually turned their two-goal advantage into a rout.

Mary Dunstan made it 4-0 in the 84th minute, just one minute after Nigeria had scored their third goal. Ayomide Rotimi then completed the scoring in the 94th minute as the Flamingos finished with five goals.

The victory gives Busari an early boost as Nigeria use the WAFU-B tournament to sharpen their squad ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, which runs from October 17 to November 8. Nigeria are in Group B at the World Cup alongside North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland.

Nigeria travelled to Côte d’Ivoire with a 20-player squad that includes Chidi, Dunstan, Bashiru, Rotimi and several players from clubs such as Bayelsa Queens, Confluence Queens, Delta Queens and FC Robo Queens.

The Flamingos' next major test in the regional competition is Ghana. The meeting was originally scheduled as Nigeria’s opener before the fixture reshuffle, but the two West African rivals are now set to meet on Saturday.

The tournament itself runs in Yamoussoukro from September 15 to 28, with the competition also serving as a regional pathway toward the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Birmingham City right-back is joint-third in the current tackling ranking published by Fussballeuropa. The table is based on the number of tackles made by players in the Championship, with Osayi-Samuel’s total putting him alongside the division’s leading ball-winners.

His defensive numbers have been built across a busy start to the 2026/27 campaign. Osayi-Samuel has started seven Championship matches for Birmingham, playing more than 550 league minutes, while being among the league’s leading defenders for tackles won.

The 28-year-old has also produced some of those numbers in high-pressure matches. Against Derby County at Pride Park on September 12, he made five tackles, the highest total by any player in Birmingham’s 2-1 victory. He also won nine duels in the match as Birmingham collected three points away from home.

That work rate fits Osayi-Samuel’s role. He can defend one-on-one, push forward from right-back and cover large spaces when Birmingham lose possession. His current form gives Chelle another experienced option in a position where Nigeria already have Ola Aina and several younger alternatives.

Osayi-Samuel joined Birmingham from Fenerbahce in July 2025 after four years in Turkey. His first Championship season brought 27 league appearances and 1,554 minutes ahead of the new campaign.

Osayi-Samuel, Super Eagles dependable defender

Osayi-Samuel’s importance to Nigeria grew sharply at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Ola Aina was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

The Birmingham defender stepped into the right-back position and started Nigeria’s first two group games against Tanzania and Tunisia. He played 90 minutes in both matches as Nigeria opened the tournament with a 2-1 win over Tanzania and then beat Tunisia 3-2.

His performance against Tunisia was particularly eventful. Osayi-Samuel helped Nigeria control the right side for most of the game, but he conceded the penalty that allowed Tunisia to launch its late comeback.

Nigeria rotated him out for the final group match against Uganda, but he returned to the starting XI for the knockout stage. He played 90 minutes in the 4-0 round-of-16 victory over Mozambique, 89 minutes in the 2-0 quarter-final win against Algeria and the full 120 minutes of the goalless semi-final against Morocco.

The Algeria game produced one of his strongest displays of the tournament, as Osayi-Samuel helped Nigeria keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 quarter-final win.

The Super Eagles finished with a bronze medal at the tournament after losing against hosts Morocco in the semi-final and beating Egypt in the third-place playoff. The three-time African champions have started preparations towards qualifying for the next edition of the AFCON to be hosted by three East African countries.

Chelle is expected to name his squad for Nigeria’s September AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with established internationals expected to form the core of the group. Nigeria will host Madagascar before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later.

The Nigerian forward joined Ajax on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July with an option for the Amsterdam club to make the move permanent for €22 million in the summer of 2027.

Arokodare has since emerged as head coach Míchel Sánchez's preferred starter across all competitions, scoring five goals in his eight Ajax appearances across the Conference League and Eredivisie before Van der Vaart, Kieft and Janssen weighed in on his position at the club.

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Van der Vaart: ‘Trust Arokodare and leave him on for once'

Ajax fell to a 1-3 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven on September 5 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, but Arokodare's individual performance drew widespread praise.

The Nigerian forward equalised for Ajax after 23 minutes before Sánchez withdrew him early in the second half for Dolberg, a decision former Netherlands international Van der Vaart openly criticised.

“I thought that was a strange substitution. Things were going fine and he had scored. Then trust him and leave him on for once,” Van der Vaart said in quotes revealed by Goal.

The former Real Madrid and Tottenham midfielder's public backing will be fresh news for Arokodare, who's looking to put the shadows of his spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers behind him.

Kieft settles Ajax striker debate as Janssen praises Tolu Arokodare

Former Netherlands international Wim Kieft went further than Van der Vaart, formally settling the debate on Ajax's first-choice striker for the time being.

The 63-year-old, who scored 11 goals in 43 caps for the Netherlands, dismissed Marcos Leonardo's early Amsterdam impact and questioned whether Dolberg still had the tools to challenge Arokodare for the shirt.

“With the qualities he has, you also have to judge him that way. He is big and strong, you can play the ball into him,” Kieft said about the lanky Nigerian striker.

“You should not expect him to dribble, but what he has to do, he does extremely well.”

Former Vitesse and FC Utrecht midfielder Theo Janssen added his own analytical praise of Arokodare's playing profile.

“What is nice about this striker is that he can also control balls around the halfway line,” the 45-year-old said.

“He is so calm, can hold people off, lays the ball off simply and then sprints towards goal again.

“He does not have to do any crazy things at all. I really think he is a good striker.”

Van der Vaart, meanwhile, rounded off the panel's assessment with a candid verdict on Dolberg's status, claiming a breakthrough at Ajax is now very unlikely for the Danish striker.

Arokodare suffering from fever

Arokodare has continued to feature for Ajax since the verdict of the Dutch legends, playing 74 minutes in the 5-1 away win over Fortuna Sittard, where his powerful header struck the crossbar for Thilo Kehrer to head home the rebound.

The Nigerian was left out of Ajax's starting XI for Tuesday's Eredivisie meeting with Willem II after Sánchez confirmed the striker had been battling a fever.

Arokodare spent the entire 90 minutes on the bench as Ajax comfortably ran out 5-1 winners at the Johan Cruijff Arena, without needing his services to see off John Stegeman's newly promoted side.

The former Genk ace has now registered two Eredivisie goals and one assist in five appearances this season, alongside three Conference League goals.

Whether Arokodare returns to the starting XI for Ajax's Eredivisie fixture at Excelsior on Saturday, before joining up with the Super Eagles for the September Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, will now be the question for both Sánchez and Eric Chelle to answer.

Iroha was part of the Super Eagles team that made history at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, having already helped Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations earlier that year.

The defender was one of the key members of a generation that established the Super Eagles as one of Africa’s leading football teams, with Nigeria reaching the World Cup knockout stages on their debut before winning Olympic gold two years later.

Three decades on, however, Iroha believes there is a notable difference between the mentality of his generation and that of today's Nigerian footballers.

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Ben Iroha: ‘The passion is different’ for Super Eagles

Speaking to Premium Times, the former Watford left-back insisted that the quality of Nigerian players remains high but pointed to their relationship with the national team as the major difference.

“The talent and the gift are still here, but the passion is different,” he said.

“I think we played with more passion. I played more for my country than I played for my club.

“When I was playing for Nigeria, I played more for the country than I did for my club.”

For Iroha, the difference was particularly evident in what it meant to represent Nigeria.

“The passion for wearing that green-and-white jersey was different,” the 56-year-old added

“So, it is a little bit different now. Nobody should be blamed for it. It is just a different generation. My generation played with everything.”

Iroha's comments come at a difficult period for Nigerian football, with the Super Eagles missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to secure qualification from their group.

The disappointment was very painful for the one-time African Champion, who revealed that Nigerians in Dallas had already been preparing to welcome the national team after he expected Nigeria to qualify.

“It was very bad. We thought Nigeria would make it, and we were ready to host the whole Nigerian national team in Dallas,” he said.

“I had already organised that. One of the games was supposed to be played in Dallas, and it was going to be massive.

“Nigerians were already saying, ‘Ben, bring the Super Eagles.’ How am I going to bring them? We didn’t qualify.”

Iroha calls for Nigeria to confront its football problems

While reflecting on the current state of the Super Eagles, Iroha stopped short of placing the blame solely on the players.

His comments instead suggest that the issue extends beyond individual ability, with the former defender calling for Nigeria to understand the problems affecting its football before attempting to rebuild.

“It was very, very bad. We need to go back, understand what is wrong, face it and get back on the field,” the one-time MLS Champion said.

His comparison with the 1994 generation is less about questioning the ability of today's players and more about highlighting the emotional connection his generation had with the national team.

Iroha's experience offers a useful reference point. He was part of the Nigeria side that won the 1994 AFCON before featuring at two World Cups, while many of his teammates later formed the core of the Olympic team that won gold at Atlanta 1996.

For a generation that achieved major milestones in Nigerian football, representing the country carried a significance that Iroha believes has changed over time.

Arokodare has enjoyed an impressive start to his career at Dutch giants Ajax, where he joined on a season-long loan deal from English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window.

The Nigerian striker joined Wolves in the summer of 2025 after impressing at Belgian side Genk. His performances earned him the Ebony Shoe award and a move to the Premier League.

However, Arokodare endured a difficult spell at Wolves, while the club were also relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.

Since joining Ajax, though, the 25-year-old's fortunes have taken a massive turn for the better. Tolu Arokodare enjoyed an impressive pre-season with the Dutch giants and has carried that form into the new campaign.

The Nigerian forward has scored five goals and provided two assists in eight appearances across all competitions, while he also played a major role in Ajax’s qualification for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.

Jan Wuytens identifies qualities making Tolu Arokodare shine at Ajax

Arokodare missed Ajax’s impressive 5-1 win over Willem II on Tuesday night after falling ill, although he was named on the bench. He was not fit enough to feature as Ajax produced an excellent performance without him.

Speaking in an interview, Wuytens, who worked with Arokodare as an assistant manager during their time together at Genk, explained the qualities that have helped the Nigerian thrive at Ajax.

The former PSV defender also pointed to the similarities between Ajax’s style of play and the football Arokodare experienced at Genk.

“Tolu has a very special profile, he is a unique boy”, Wuytens began.

“When he came, he had to get used to our way of playing. We played a kind of Ajax football, with high pressure. He had a really hard time with that at the beginning: constantly making those sprint meters in pressing.

“But in his second season, Tolu really got loose at Genk, also because we started using him much more in his power.”

Wuytens also identified Arokodare’s combination of pace, strength and aerial ability, explaining how Genk eventually learned to use those qualities to get the best out of him.

“We started training more on crosses, throwing balls in the box. There Tolu is just unstoppable. He is very good in air, and also quite fast, then you have to bring him into his strength”, he continued.

“He himself also adapted better and better, especially to the pace of the game, because there are a lot of transition moments in Belgian football.

“He's a special boy. He has a kind of magic, that he can win everyone over at certain clubs..

“As a trainer, you really have to hit the right string with him, the perfect string, and you have to keep hitting it, to get him consistent. If you do that, you will get a killer on the field.

“That's the game you have to play with him: you want to bring him into a certain structure, in which he can also be himself. That's interesting. With us there have never been problems with being late or things like that.

“And in the end he really got going. He started scoring more and more, and we started using him better and better.

“He is holding the ball so strong that the rest can join. If you feed him with crosses, and people walking around him, he is a very interesting player”, Wuytens concluded.

Arokodare will be hoping to recover in time for Ajax’s game against Excelsior this weekend as they look to claim another victory and continue closing the gap on PSV at the top of the Eredivisie standings.

The Nigerian striker will also be hoping to be fit in time to make Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month.

​Awoniyi is one of the best Nigerian strikers of his generation. After spending years across Europe, he has now settled in England.

​The forward joined Nottingham Forest and, after making 103 appearances, left the club for Coventry City during the summer transfer window.

​Awoniyi departed as a cult hero, receiving an emotional farewell in front of the home supporters at the City Ground.

​At Coventry, things have not panned out quite the way he would have hoped, but he has now secured a major victory off the pitch. On Tuesday, he shared pictures on Instagram to announce his graduation from the PFA Business School with a postgraduate diploma in Global Football Sport Directorship, earned with merit.

​This programme prepares graduates for sporting strategy and operations, financial and club governance, data analytics, and high-level management. Some other notable names who graduated from other courses are Everton legend Tim Cahill and Chelsea icon César Azpilicueta who also got a diploma in Global Football Sport Directorship.

​Naturally, those who pursue this path are looking to transition into coaching or football administration. Other players who have also edged towards education in the course of their football careers are Wilfred Ndidi, Sone Aluko, Kelechi Iheanacho, and William Troot-Ekong.

​Taiwo Awoniyi: What This Means For Super Eagles Star

​This is a major step for Taiwo Awoniyi, but it comes as little surprise. Awoniyi is one of the few Super Eagles players who is not only active on the pitch, but deeply involved in the game away from it.

​Awoniyi runs a football academy in Kwara State and remains actively involved in its operations. He has also consistently organized grassroots tournaments for young footballers in his hometown community of Ilorin.

​With this recent achievement, his intent is unmistakable: Awoniyi wants to remain a key figure in football long after hanging up his boots.

​If he continues to build on these qualifications, he could easily become an influential administrative figure at the Nigeria Football Federation when he eventually retires.

​In the meantime, however, he will be looking to get his season back on track at Coventry City as soon as possible. After being sent off in their heavy 5-0 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend, he will need to prove after the international break that he deserves a place in the starting lineup.

​The Nigerian forward has endured a turbulent start to the campaign. He had to wait until the fourth match of the season to open his account—a milestone that came at the cost of a minor injury.

​However, he appeared to recover quickly. Last week, the 30-year-old marksman featured for Trabzonspor, playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless stalemate against Konyaspor.

​He showed no obvious signs of distress during that match. Yet in a fresh development on Tuesday, Onuachu was conspicuously absent from Trabzonspor's training ground while the rest of the squad took part in the session.

He also did not share any picture of himself during training on his Instagram page, and this is unusual for Onuachu.

​His absence has sparked fears that he may be nursing another injury setback—a scenario that would deeply concern Trabzonspor ahead of their crucial clash with Galatasaray this weekend.

​Super Eagles: Should Éric Chelle Be Worried About Paul Onuachu?

​Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on Onuachu's situation, as the towering forward remains the most viable option to lead the attack whenever Victor Osimhen is unavailable.

​Chelle’s high-pressing system demands immense physical exertion, meaning any player operating below peak fitness will struggle to retain their place. Onuachu faces fierce competition, with several Nigerian strikers currently flourishing across Europe.

​Rafiu Durosinmi is quickly proving to be one of the summer’s standout signings in the Belgian Pro League, Kelechi Iheanacho has found the net in seven consecutive games, and Gift Orban already boasts six league goals in the Süper Lig.

​While Trabzonspor have yet to confirm an injury, both club and national team staff will be hoping the striker is fit enough to return to action without delay.

James' debut invitation comes as Super Eagles boss Chelle looks for another left-back option following Zaidu Sanusi's injury.

Portuguese newspaper Record reports that James will be invited for Nigeria's September 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

James has been on Chelle's radar and has made a strong start to the 2026/27 Primeira Liga season. He has started all six of Alverca's league matches, playing 514 minutes and providing two assists. His latest appearance came in the 3-1 win at Nacional on September 12.

The defender's versatility has also helped his case. James can play at left-back, left wing-back or as a left-sided centre-back, giving Chelle another option in a position affected by Sanusi's absence.

Sanusi suffered a right adductor injury during Porto's 3-0 win over Académico de Viseu on August 29. He was forced off after 17 minutes and is expected to spend about two months on the sidelines.

Bruno Onyemaechi is still expected to compete for the left-back role, but James' call-up gives Chelle a new option ahead of the qualifiers.

Isaac James: From France and Portugal to Super Eagles

James' route to the Super Eagles began with Garden City Panthers in Nigeria before he earned a trial at French club Lorient.

He first spent 15 days on trial with Danish club FC Midtjylland in 2021 before travelling to France. He impressed Lorient during a friendly against US Avranches, where he had been asked to play for Avranches because they needed a left-back.

Lorient subsequently signed him and placed him in their reserve setup. Visa problems delayed his competitive debut until December 2022, but he eventually moved into the first-team picture.

James made his professional debut for Lorient against Grenoble in Ligue 2 on August 24, 2024, coming on in a 2-0 victory.

He moved to Alverca in 2025 and has since established himself in Portuguese football. His regular starts this season have now earned him attention from the Super Eagles.

The September qualifiers could give James his first opportunity to take that next step.

Nigeria face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later. James' inclusion gives Chelle another young, left-footed defender to assess as he reshapes his options without Sanusi.